November 2019
Modeling the Faith, 24 November 2019
Modeling the Faith
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Titus 2:1-8
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Discipleship is more than a program or class, but a 24/7/365 lifestyle involving others.
This morning we’re concluding our series on discipleship, Links in the Chain. The movement of Jesus, the people of God, the Church is always one generation away from extinction.
Jesus spent three years on our planet revolutionizing what it means to be human. His teachings reformed our view of God from distant to intimate, inviting us to call Him “Abba” or “Daddy.” To make sure a relationship possible, he willingly sacrificed his life, dying on the cross to offer forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with our Father. His resurrection shattered the boundaries of death, proving not only his deity but his power. As he was about to ascend into heaven where he presently sits beside the Father, he gathered his friends together and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Here we are! For two thousand years, men and women have been passing the baton of faith, making disciples (followers, students, protégés) of Jesus. This is why we exist: to follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus, experiencing the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We’re all at different places in our life journey, our spiritual journey. My prayer each Sunday is that I can help you take your next step toward becoming like Jesus. In week one of our series, we talked about the importance of discipleship in the home. In Deuteronomy chapter six, Moses declares…
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
This is everyday discipleship…life with God…a life of love.
In week two, we looked at the treasure we have in God’s Word. We take the Bible for granted in our nation, yet many literally weep and dance and celebrate when they are presented with it in their own language for the first time. Jesus’ commission says,
“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20a)
We need to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, and obey the Word. This isn’t about guilt or obligation or duty, but rather out of our pursuit of life…abundant life!
Our text for today is a letter from Paul to his protégé Titus, his spiritual son. Paul warns Titus about “rebellious people” who are religious, but not righteous. He says,
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:16)
Ouch! Love is not always “nice,” but it always rejoices with the truth. Have you ever met someone who claimed to know God, but acted nothing like Jesus?
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Perhaps the greatest problem in the world is there are 2.3 billion Christians in the world, many of whom are so unlike Jesus. That goes for me sometimes, too! If we would look more like Jesus than the world, the world would eventually look more like Jesus! How do we get Christians to become like Christ? That’s discipleship.
Paul continues,
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (Titus 2:1-2)
In our culture, when we think of “teach,” a classroom often comes to mind. For the past several hundred years, our understanding of information has often come from a lecture, a blackboard (or whiteboard), and a room full of students trying to memorize data.
In New Testament times, the classroom was often a home, a public square, a temple, anywhere! You don’t learn respect and self-control from a textbook. You learn it from a life, a mentor, a model.
I was recently with a friend whose children are approaching the age of dating. He said he will be his daughter’s first date, showing her how a young man should behave. Likewise, his wife will be their son’s first date, giving him an opportunity to role-play how to treat a young lady. What a great idea! Needless to say, both parents have spent years modeling for their children what a loving relationship between a man and a woman looks like.
I can stand here and give speeches week after week, but if my life doesn’t match what I’m saying, I’m a…hypocrite. The original Greek word “hypokrites” means “an actor.” I’m just playing a role if I don’t practice what I preach.
I’ve been shaped by many sermons I’ve heard. I’ve been formed by books I have read. But I’m quite sure the most influential people in my life have not been preachers or authors, but family members and friends.
My parents modeled a vibrant faith. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles followed Jesus and loved God and people before my watching eyes. Mentors showed me what it means to be a leader, a husband, a pastor, a friend.
Discipleship is not a program.
Discipleship is not a class.
Discipleship is life on life!
Practically, what does this look like? Mike Breen, creator of LifeShapes, describes the discipleship square like this:
Organized religion as we think of it today as a distribution of religious goods and services was never God’s design. Jesus came to model a life of love so others could spread the love virus. He didn’t just talk about love…he loved! Returning to Paul’s instructions to Titus:
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
Teaching. Modeling. Mentoring. Reproducing. Imitating. The home is where this historically has taken place, but today so many children are raised with few good role models. Often the parents or guardians are working, abusive, are simply absent. This is where the local church can step in.
It’s not the job of our children’s and student ministries to disciple our next generation. That’s the job of the parents. We equip parents and guardians to disciple their kids, but obviously that’s not always possible. In the absence of parents and guardians who are following Jesus, our church family can step up and love, serve, invest, mentor, teach, disciple.
This is not only relevant with young people, but adults, too. Many of you have never been discipled, by a parent or friend. There are formal and informal relationships, and we need both. We have a list of small groups, Bible studies, and Sunday School classes available at the bottom of the FAC Focus e-newsletter each week and in the information kiosk in the lobby. We are always looking for new group leaders and apprentice leaders to create more opportunities for people to do life together. Please let me or one of the leaders know if you’re interested. Groups are not the only tool for discipleship, but they are our primary vehicle and we are always exploring new ways to make disciples. We hope to announce soon details of a new Alpha course on Thursday nights at Rustbelt Coffee a few blocks down the street beginning in February.
We are here to equip you, but discipleship is not a program or something you do on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It’s a 24/7/365 journey of becoming like Jesus.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)
Titus is on the island of Crete, the mythical birthplace of Zeus. The people there were known for their lies and laziness. In contrast, do you see Jesus in Paul’s instructions? Passing the baton of faith is the essence of discipleship, becoming like Jesus and helping others become like Jesus.
One obvious challenge to discipleship in our culture is the lack of disciple-makers. The number of USAmerican adults simply describing themselves as Christians is down twelve percent in the past decade, according to the latest Pew Research study. The decline in Christianity crosses all demographics, too. Only 65% of USAmerican adults describe themselves as Christian, down from 77% in 2009.
So we need you! We need you to be discipled, to join a group, to pursue Jesus, to even ask someone you respect to mentor you.
We also need you to disciple, to mentor, to invest in others, not as a perfect example, but as a living example.
Discipleship takes place each Wednesday night—except this one due to the holiday—at Celebrate Recovery in our Fellowship Hall at 7 PM for anyone with hurts, habits, and hangups, which is all of us.
We have a wonderfully diverse group that meets Sunday at 9 AM in the same Fellowship Hall across Monroe Street. It’s a great place to connect and begin relationships with people in various places on the spiritual journey.
I am not a perfect example, but I’m a living example. I have had several people in my life who have discipled me. They have mentored me. They have helped me know Jesus. It’s my desire to disciple others, training them and modeling for them what it means to imitate Jesus.
I’ve been very influenced by a book by Mike Breen called Building a Discipling Culture. It has helped me focus on the way of Jesus who chose his disciples, met with them as a group, prepared them for ministry, and then sent them out to do what he did.
So What?
Are you a disciple? Absolutely! We all imitate others, be it our parents, friends, celebrities,…or Jesus. The question is, whose disciple are you?
Are you a disciple-maker? Who is imitating you?
Paul said,
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
That’s discipleship. It doesn’t happen overnight. It literally takes a lifetime…one day at a time. Everyday discipleship. Not just Sunday. Not just an hour or two a week. Discipleship is following Jesus 24/7/365.
I want to conclude with two questions:
Who is discipling you? Who are you imitating? Perhaps it would be worth the risk to ask someone to be your mentor, to teach you, to disciple you.
Who are you discipling? If you’re new to the faith, it may seem premature to consider such a question, but each day that you follow Jesus is one day in which you are growing to love and serve him. Many Christians have kept their faith private rather than sharing it with others, investing in younger believers, inviting others into their life. Some of you have so much to offer, especially those of you who are empty-nesters. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul said, “Follow my example.” We don’t have to be perfect examples, but we can offer ourselves to the next generation as we follow the example of Jesus.
At the end of the day, it’s all about growing to become like Jesus, to look like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to follow Jesus.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Titus 2:1-8
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Discipleship is more than a program or class, but a 24/7/365 lifestyle involving others.
This morning we’re concluding our series on discipleship, Links in the Chain. The movement of Jesus, the people of God, the Church is always one generation away from extinction.
Jesus spent three years on our planet revolutionizing what it means to be human. His teachings reformed our view of God from distant to intimate, inviting us to call Him “Abba” or “Daddy.” To make sure a relationship possible, he willingly sacrificed his life, dying on the cross to offer forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with our Father. His resurrection shattered the boundaries of death, proving not only his deity but his power. As he was about to ascend into heaven where he presently sits beside the Father, he gathered his friends together and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Here we are! For two thousand years, men and women have been passing the baton of faith, making disciples (followers, students, protégés) of Jesus. This is why we exist: to follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus, experiencing the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We’re all at different places in our life journey, our spiritual journey. My prayer each Sunday is that I can help you take your next step toward becoming like Jesus. In week one of our series, we talked about the importance of discipleship in the home. In Deuteronomy chapter six, Moses declares…
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
This is everyday discipleship…life with God…a life of love.
In week two, we looked at the treasure we have in God’s Word. We take the Bible for granted in our nation, yet many literally weep and dance and celebrate when they are presented with it in their own language for the first time. Jesus’ commission says,
“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20a)
We need to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, and obey the Word. This isn’t about guilt or obligation or duty, but rather out of our pursuit of life…abundant life!
Our text for today is a letter from Paul to his protégé Titus, his spiritual son. Paul warns Titus about “rebellious people” who are religious, but not righteous. He says,
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:16)
Ouch! Love is not always “nice,” but it always rejoices with the truth. Have you ever met someone who claimed to know God, but acted nothing like Jesus?
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Perhaps the greatest problem in the world is there are 2.3 billion Christians in the world, many of whom are so unlike Jesus. That goes for me sometimes, too! If we would look more like Jesus than the world, the world would eventually look more like Jesus! How do we get Christians to become like Christ? That’s discipleship.
Paul continues,
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (Titus 2:1-2)
In our culture, when we think of “teach,” a classroom often comes to mind. For the past several hundred years, our understanding of information has often come from a lecture, a blackboard (or whiteboard), and a room full of students trying to memorize data.
In New Testament times, the classroom was often a home, a public square, a temple, anywhere! You don’t learn respect and self-control from a textbook. You learn it from a life, a mentor, a model.
I was recently with a friend whose children are approaching the age of dating. He said he will be his daughter’s first date, showing her how a young man should behave. Likewise, his wife will be their son’s first date, giving him an opportunity to role-play how to treat a young lady. What a great idea! Needless to say, both parents have spent years modeling for their children what a loving relationship between a man and a woman looks like.
I can stand here and give speeches week after week, but if my life doesn’t match what I’m saying, I’m a…hypocrite. The original Greek word “hypokrites” means “an actor.” I’m just playing a role if I don’t practice what I preach.
I’ve been shaped by many sermons I’ve heard. I’ve been formed by books I have read. But I’m quite sure the most influential people in my life have not been preachers or authors, but family members and friends.
My parents modeled a vibrant faith. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles followed Jesus and loved God and people before my watching eyes. Mentors showed me what it means to be a leader, a husband, a pastor, a friend.
Discipleship is not a program.
Discipleship is not a class.
Discipleship is life on life!
Practically, what does this look like? Mike Breen, creator of LifeShapes, describes the discipleship square like this:
Organized religion as we think of it today as a distribution of religious goods and services was never God’s design. Jesus came to model a life of love so others could spread the love virus. He didn’t just talk about love…he loved! Returning to Paul’s instructions to Titus:
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
Teaching. Modeling. Mentoring. Reproducing. Imitating. The home is where this historically has taken place, but today so many children are raised with few good role models. Often the parents or guardians are working, abusive, are simply absent. This is where the local church can step in.
It’s not the job of our children’s and student ministries to disciple our next generation. That’s the job of the parents. We equip parents and guardians to disciple their kids, but obviously that’s not always possible. In the absence of parents and guardians who are following Jesus, our church family can step up and love, serve, invest, mentor, teach, disciple.
This is not only relevant with young people, but adults, too. Many of you have never been discipled, by a parent or friend. There are formal and informal relationships, and we need both. We have a list of small groups, Bible studies, and Sunday School classes available at the bottom of the FAC Focus e-newsletter each week and in the information kiosk in the lobby. We are always looking for new group leaders and apprentice leaders to create more opportunities for people to do life together. Please let me or one of the leaders know if you’re interested. Groups are not the only tool for discipleship, but they are our primary vehicle and we are always exploring new ways to make disciples. We hope to announce soon details of a new Alpha course on Thursday nights at Rustbelt Coffee a few blocks down the street beginning in February.
We are here to equip you, but discipleship is not a program or something you do on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It’s a 24/7/365 journey of becoming like Jesus.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)
Titus is on the island of Crete, the mythical birthplace of Zeus. The people there were known for their lies and laziness. In contrast, do you see Jesus in Paul’s instructions? Passing the baton of faith is the essence of discipleship, becoming like Jesus and helping others become like Jesus.
One obvious challenge to discipleship in our culture is the lack of disciple-makers. The number of USAmerican adults simply describing themselves as Christians is down twelve percent in the past decade, according to the latest Pew Research study. The decline in Christianity crosses all demographics, too. Only 65% of USAmerican adults describe themselves as Christian, down from 77% in 2009.
So we need you! We need you to be discipled, to join a group, to pursue Jesus, to even ask someone you respect to mentor you.
We also need you to disciple, to mentor, to invest in others, not as a perfect example, but as a living example.
Discipleship takes place each Wednesday night—except this one due to the holiday—at Celebrate Recovery in our Fellowship Hall at 7 PM for anyone with hurts, habits, and hangups, which is all of us.
We have a wonderfully diverse group that meets Sunday at 9 AM in the same Fellowship Hall across Monroe Street. It’s a great place to connect and begin relationships with people in various places on the spiritual journey.
I am not a perfect example, but I’m a living example. I have had several people in my life who have discipled me. They have mentored me. They have helped me know Jesus. It’s my desire to disciple others, training them and modeling for them what it means to imitate Jesus.
I’ve been very influenced by a book by Mike Breen called Building a Discipling Culture. It has helped me focus on the way of Jesus who chose his disciples, met with them as a group, prepared them for ministry, and then sent them out to do what he did.
So What?
Are you a disciple? Absolutely! We all imitate others, be it our parents, friends, celebrities,…or Jesus. The question is, whose disciple are you?
Are you a disciple-maker? Who is imitating you?
Paul said,
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
That’s discipleship. It doesn’t happen overnight. It literally takes a lifetime…one day at a time. Everyday discipleship. Not just Sunday. Not just an hour or two a week. Discipleship is following Jesus 24/7/365.
I want to conclude with two questions:
Who is discipling you? Who are you imitating? Perhaps it would be worth the risk to ask someone to be your mentor, to teach you, to disciple you.
Who are you discipling? If you’re new to the faith, it may seem premature to consider such a question, but each day that you follow Jesus is one day in which you are growing to love and serve him. Many Christians have kept their faith private rather than sharing it with others, investing in younger believers, inviting others into their life. Some of you have so much to offer, especially those of you who are empty-nesters. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul said, “Follow my example.” We don’t have to be perfect examples, but we can offer ourselves to the next generation as we follow the example of Jesus.
At the end of the day, it’s all about growing to become like Jesus, to look like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to follow Jesus.
Honoring God’s Word, 10 November 2019
Honoring God’s Word
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Read—and obey—God’s Word.
When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, (Nehemiah 7:73)
all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. (Nehemiah 8:1)
So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:2-3)
What a scene! Can you imagine all the people of a nation gathering together in one place…to listen to the reading of a book?
In our nation’s history, the Gettysburg address was legendary. We’ve been riveted by speeches delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and JFK. The television and phone offer us portals through which to view historic events and receive vital messages.
But the scene in the book of Nehemiah is extraordinary. This is not a ten-minute speech or even an hour-long sermon like today (!). A book is read from daybreak until noon…and all the people listened attentively. What book? The Hebrew Bible.
I must confess I struggle to read a book—any book—for more than an hour. If a podcast goes longer than an hour—and I usually listen to them at double speed—I sometimes begin to tune out. I have found my attention span declining—no doubt due to technology—even in viewing a movie for more than two hours.
All the people listened attentively to the reading of the Bible from daybreak till noon. Wow! I can’t think of any other book which would be so captivating, so life-giving, so riveting. Today we continue our series on discipleship entitled Links in the Chain. The Church is always one generation away from extinction. We have a great inheritance of faith from those who have gone before us, and we must pass it on to future generations.
Let’s continue in the eighth chapter of Nehemiah. To appreciate the story, you must understand the context. Babylon took over the Kingdom of Judah in 586 B.C. The temple was destroyed. The people were exiled.
A generation later, King Cyrus of Persia allows the people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. These people didn’t know the Law of the LORD, much less follow it. You might say their Bible had been lost. Now God’s Word is presented to the people…in their own language! They were eager to learn about God in order to know and obey God.
Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. (Nehemiah 8:4)
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:5-6)
There are many physical descriptions in these verses. Some people see following Jesus as nothing more than a spiritual endeavor, but Jesus said,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
Did he forget anything?!
God has given us incredible bodies…and they are to used for God’s glory. We are to love God with our bodies, with our strength. That doesn’t simply mean we should all be weight lifters for Jesus! Rather, we treat our bodies as the holy temples of God they are, not worshipping our bodies, but using our bodies in worship.
Note first the physicality of the scene. Ezra is above the people so he can be seen. He’s also elevated to show the book to the people. They stood in reverence to the sacred scriptures, much like we stand as the scripture is being read on Sunday mornings. Standing doesn’t change the Bible, but it changes us. It shows respect. It communicates honor. We can use our bodies to declare something—or someone—is special. We stand for the National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance.
As Ezra praised God, the people stood there with their hands in their pockets. No! They lifted their hands. They bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Your posture matters. Your body matters. The scriptures are filled with worship instructions: sing, stand, shout, clap, kneel, bow…I don’t think it ever says to sit!
The point is these people were excited about God and His word. They didn’t have it in the pockets as we do on our smart phones. They didn’t even have a paper copy in their homes!
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. (Nehemiah 8:7-8)
These Levites had studied the Law and helped Ezra interpret and teach it. One of my goals when I preach is to make the Bible clear, to make it meaningful, and to help you understand it…even the difficult parts. Always remember the Bible is our authority, not necessarily the teaching of the Bible. There have always been false teachers who use the Bible for their own gain. It is a sobering thing to teach the Bible and I take the responsibility seriously. You don’t have to be a scholar to study the Bible, but you do have to be a diligent student.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:9)
These people are really excited about the Law! They can’t contain their emotion! They mourned when they realized how they had disobeyed God. They also wept for joy because they heard God’s Word. What an emotional day it must have been.
It kind of reminds of a video I saw about a decade ago of the Kimyal community in West Papua, Indonesia when they received the first copies of the New Testament in their language. Today, about 1.5 billion people don’t have access to the Bible in their first language.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Many of you have quoted that last phrase, but do you see how context matters? It’s stated in the midst of celebration. The Jews knew how to celebrate. They still do to this day!
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” (Nehemiah 8:11)
Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. (Nehemiah 8:12)
The Word of the LORD had brought about transformation. They heard from God! They were no longer unsure of God’s plans, provisions, and purposes.
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law. They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written. (Nehemiah 8:13-15)
So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. (Nehemiah 8:16-17)
The “links in the chain” had been broken. The baton of faith had been dropped. People had no idea what God desired…until they heard it read. This included not only issues of right and wrong, but also mandated celebrations such as the festival of booths, dating back to Moses. This celebration also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot in Hebrew, was the last of the fall festivals, held at harvest time. It commemorates the forty years God provided for the Jews as they wandered in the wilderness. Sukkot is still remembered today, held this year October 13-20.
Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly. (Nehemiah 8:18)
They read the Law for a week! What have you ever done for a week? When is the last time you had a seven-day celebration for anything?!
So What?
Discipleship is the process of becoming like someone. In our context, that someone is Jesus. How do we know about Jesus? How do we know Jesus? The primary tool we have for knowing God and His will and plan for our lives is the Bible. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a big book of rules forbidding fun! Nor Is it a book of hate.
Abdu Murray speaks at universities across the country and said one of the top three questions he is asked by young people is, “Isn’t the Bible sexist, homophobic, racist?” In a word, no! It has been manipulated for the self-serving purposes of people who act nothing like Jesus, but the Bible is a book of freedom and liberation. It contains songs, poems, and the most riveting stories ever written. It overflows with timeless wisdom showing us how to experience the most exciting, satisfying, and meaningful life imaginable…both now and beyond the grave. The Bible is no ordinary book! Actually, it’s a collection of 66 life-transforming books.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
What’s your attitude toward the Bible? Maybe you read it daily…out of obligation or ritual. Perhaps you only experience it on Sunday mornings, choosing social media, television, magazines, and other reading materials to the best-selling book of all time. My point is not to shame you or make you feel guilty, but rather to encourage you and offer some next-steps for your spiritual journey.
Billions of people do not own a Bible. It’s banned in many countries. It’s unavailable in certain languages. In our land, so many sit buried under a pile of dust…and we wonder why despite information overload, we lack wisdom, common sense, decency, or hope.
We are so blessed to not only have the Holy Bible in our own language, it’s available in a multitude of translations and forms. There are even videos of much of the Bible if you prefer to watch it!
…the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:2b)
That’s what we’re all about!
We don’t worship the Bible, but we worship the God of the Bible. The psalmist wrote,
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (Psalms 119:103-105, NLT)
One more thing…
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Read—and obey—God’s Word.
When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, (Nehemiah 7:73)
all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. (Nehemiah 8:1)
So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:2-3)
What a scene! Can you imagine all the people of a nation gathering together in one place…to listen to the reading of a book?
In our nation’s history, the Gettysburg address was legendary. We’ve been riveted by speeches delivered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and JFK. The television and phone offer us portals through which to view historic events and receive vital messages.
But the scene in the book of Nehemiah is extraordinary. This is not a ten-minute speech or even an hour-long sermon like today (!). A book is read from daybreak until noon…and all the people listened attentively. What book? The Hebrew Bible.
I must confess I struggle to read a book—any book—for more than an hour. If a podcast goes longer than an hour—and I usually listen to them at double speed—I sometimes begin to tune out. I have found my attention span declining—no doubt due to technology—even in viewing a movie for more than two hours.
All the people listened attentively to the reading of the Bible from daybreak till noon. Wow! I can’t think of any other book which would be so captivating, so life-giving, so riveting. Today we continue our series on discipleship entitled Links in the Chain. The Church is always one generation away from extinction. We have a great inheritance of faith from those who have gone before us, and we must pass it on to future generations.
Let’s continue in the eighth chapter of Nehemiah. To appreciate the story, you must understand the context. Babylon took over the Kingdom of Judah in 586 B.C. The temple was destroyed. The people were exiled.
A generation later, King Cyrus of Persia allows the people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. These people didn’t know the Law of the LORD, much less follow it. You might say their Bible had been lost. Now God’s Word is presented to the people…in their own language! They were eager to learn about God in order to know and obey God.
Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. (Nehemiah 8:4)
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:5-6)
There are many physical descriptions in these verses. Some people see following Jesus as nothing more than a spiritual endeavor, but Jesus said,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
Did he forget anything?!
God has given us incredible bodies…and they are to used for God’s glory. We are to love God with our bodies, with our strength. That doesn’t simply mean we should all be weight lifters for Jesus! Rather, we treat our bodies as the holy temples of God they are, not worshipping our bodies, but using our bodies in worship.
Note first the physicality of the scene. Ezra is above the people so he can be seen. He’s also elevated to show the book to the people. They stood in reverence to the sacred scriptures, much like we stand as the scripture is being read on Sunday mornings. Standing doesn’t change the Bible, but it changes us. It shows respect. It communicates honor. We can use our bodies to declare something—or someone—is special. We stand for the National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance.
As Ezra praised God, the people stood there with their hands in their pockets. No! They lifted their hands. They bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
Your posture matters. Your body matters. The scriptures are filled with worship instructions: sing, stand, shout, clap, kneel, bow…I don’t think it ever says to sit!
The point is these people were excited about God and His word. They didn’t have it in the pockets as we do on our smart phones. They didn’t even have a paper copy in their homes!
The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. (Nehemiah 8:7-8)
These Levites had studied the Law and helped Ezra interpret and teach it. One of my goals when I preach is to make the Bible clear, to make it meaningful, and to help you understand it…even the difficult parts. Always remember the Bible is our authority, not necessarily the teaching of the Bible. There have always been false teachers who use the Bible for their own gain. It is a sobering thing to teach the Bible and I take the responsibility seriously. You don’t have to be a scholar to study the Bible, but you do have to be a diligent student.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:9)
These people are really excited about the Law! They can’t contain their emotion! They mourned when they realized how they had disobeyed God. They also wept for joy because they heard God’s Word. What an emotional day it must have been.
It kind of reminds of a video I saw about a decade ago of the Kimyal community in West Papua, Indonesia when they received the first copies of the New Testament in their language. Today, about 1.5 billion people don’t have access to the Bible in their first language.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
Many of you have quoted that last phrase, but do you see how context matters? It’s stated in the midst of celebration. The Jews knew how to celebrate. They still do to this day!
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” (Nehemiah 8:11)
Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. (Nehemiah 8:12)
The Word of the LORD had brought about transformation. They heard from God! They were no longer unsure of God’s plans, provisions, and purposes.
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law. They found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written. (Nehemiah 8:13-15)
So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. (Nehemiah 8:16-17)
The “links in the chain” had been broken. The baton of faith had been dropped. People had no idea what God desired…until they heard it read. This included not only issues of right and wrong, but also mandated celebrations such as the festival of booths, dating back to Moses. This celebration also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot in Hebrew, was the last of the fall festivals, held at harvest time. It commemorates the forty years God provided for the Jews as they wandered in the wilderness. Sukkot is still remembered today, held this year October 13-20.
Day after day, from the first day to the last, Ezra read from the Book of the Law of God. They celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, in accordance with the regulation, there was an assembly. (Nehemiah 8:18)
They read the Law for a week! What have you ever done for a week? When is the last time you had a seven-day celebration for anything?!
So What?
Discipleship is the process of becoming like someone. In our context, that someone is Jesus. How do we know about Jesus? How do we know Jesus? The primary tool we have for knowing God and His will and plan for our lives is the Bible. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a big book of rules forbidding fun! Nor Is it a book of hate.
Abdu Murray speaks at universities across the country and said one of the top three questions he is asked by young people is, “Isn’t the Bible sexist, homophobic, racist?” In a word, no! It has been manipulated for the self-serving purposes of people who act nothing like Jesus, but the Bible is a book of freedom and liberation. It contains songs, poems, and the most riveting stories ever written. It overflows with timeless wisdom showing us how to experience the most exciting, satisfying, and meaningful life imaginable…both now and beyond the grave. The Bible is no ordinary book! Actually, it’s a collection of 66 life-transforming books.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
What’s your attitude toward the Bible? Maybe you read it daily…out of obligation or ritual. Perhaps you only experience it on Sunday mornings, choosing social media, television, magazines, and other reading materials to the best-selling book of all time. My point is not to shame you or make you feel guilty, but rather to encourage you and offer some next-steps for your spiritual journey.
- 1. Download the free YouVersion app.
- 2. Find a Bible you can understand. My favorite for daily reading is the New Living Translation.
- 3. Better yet, invest in a study Bible. Some of my favorites are The NIV Study Bible and The Life Application Study Bible.
- 4. Read it…or listen to it. Audio Bibles are great, too. Some people read while listening, stimulating two different senses simultaneously.
- 5. Memorize it.
- 6. Engage it with others (small groups, Bible studies, Sunday School).
- 7. Mission119.org
- 8. A daily devotional (YouVersion)
- 9. A daily reading plan (YouVersion)
- 10. Meditate on the Word. Quality and quantity. Don’t rush. Focus on a daily message/verse.
Billions of people do not own a Bible. It’s banned in many countries. It’s unavailable in certain languages. In our land, so many sit buried under a pile of dust…and we wonder why despite information overload, we lack wisdom, common sense, decency, or hope.
We are so blessed to not only have the Holy Bible in our own language, it’s available in a multitude of translations and forms. There are even videos of much of the Bible if you prefer to watch it!
…the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:2b)
That’s what we’re all about!
We don’t worship the Bible, but we worship the God of the Bible. The psalmist wrote,
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (Psalms 119:103-105, NLT)
One more thing…
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)
Everyday Discipleship, 3 November 2019
Everyday Discipleship
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Luke 9:23
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Discipleship begins in the home…but doesn’t stay there.
Kingdom over everything.
Living in light of eternity.
What do you do every day?
Wake up.
Get dressed.
Eat.
Brush your teeth.
Floss?
Go online.
Breathe!
Pray?
Today we begin a new series, Links in the Chain. Our topic is discipleship. Discipleship is one of those words commonly found in the church, yet rarely used in our culture. What is discipleship? How do I become a disciple? How do I make disciples? We’re going to answer these and other questions throughout this series.
PRAY
As Jesus was preparing to ascend into heaven, he gathered his friends together and said,
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
This is one of the most famous passages in the entire Bible. It’s often called the Great Commission. Jesus gave marching orders to his followers, and they remain relevant and mandatory for us, too.
Make disciples. What’s a disciple? How do we make one?
A disciple is simply a student, a protégé. Jesus is saying become like him. A student often becomes like their teacher. That’s usually the goal.
We’ve come a long way since Jesus called the Twelve to follow him, and that’s not necessarily a good thing! The culture two thousand years ago in the Middle East was certainly different than it is today here in Toledo.
Discipleship was a common practice among the Jews. A young man would pursue a rabbi and essentially watch and follow their every move for several years, shadowing him in hopes of becoming like him. Listen to this description from John Daugherty:
In the days of Jesus, all young boys were taught the Torah and the Prophets beginning at age 5; meaning that at age 5, they began to memorize the Torah and the Prophets! Every day they would rehearse the Scriptures until it came to them by rote. At the age of 12, after 7 years of memorizing the Bible, boys were apprenticed to craftsmen. Some became carpenters, some stone masons and others farmers; but those that were exceptional in their studies of the Scripture were apprenticed to a Sage. His trade was to become a Rabbi. He would leave his home and move in with the Sage. He studied everything about him! Not just his thoughts on the Scripture, but He studied the Sage’s marriage, his business affairs, the way he judged certain cases—everything! It’s the belief of the Sage that the Torah affects every aspect of life, so the disciple is learning to imitate his Master’s disciplined life in order to mimic it in every regard! This is Biblical discipleship.
To a disciple, his Master is more than just a teacher. In fact, a disciple’s Master was regarded more highly than his own father. This is because an earthly father brought you into this world in which we live, but the Sage was able to usher you into the World-to-Come, or Paradise. The Sage became the new Father of the disciple, hence we find in the rabbinic writings references to the “House of Hillel”, or the “House of Shammai”. The Sage was seen as Father, and his a disciples were his well-trained sons. It’s not that the disciple’s family was abandoned, but his family loyalties took second place to his Master. This sentiment is echoed in the words of our Master, Jesus:
“If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yea even his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Lk. 14:26)
The language of “hate” employed in this verse is not hatred like we generally think of it. Jesus is using a Hebraic idiom that demonstrates comparative language. In other words, the love for the Master must be so great, that all familial love (usually our strongest love) must look like hatred in comparison. Each and every one of us is called to this radical practice of discipleship! We can’t be disciples of Jesus because our family has a strong Christian tradition. And we can’t be disciples of Jesus because of cultural pressures. We can only be a disciple of Jesus if we’re willing to abandon all other affections to second place, setting Jesus the Messiah squarely in the preeminent role of our lives!
Wow! Jesus’ Great Commission to go and make disciples is a far cry from what one person has called “The functional Great Commission”
“Go into all the world and make more worship attenders, baptizing them in the name of small groups and teaching them to volunteer a few hours a month.”
Doing church stuff is not the same as following Jesus. Yes, I’m thrilled you’re here on Sunday morning. Yes, small groups are a primary tool of discipleship and community, doing life together. Yes, we need volunteers to accomplish our mission of restoring God’s masterpieces.
But discipleship should never be relegated to a class or program. It’s not ultimately about acquiring information, but about experiencing transformation. Discipleship is becoming like Jesus, imitating Jesus…and helping others become like Jesus.
D6
Some of you know we have been using a curriculum for our student ministries and some of our small groups called D6. I have often used the scriptures in my sermons to synchronize the content across all ages so children, youth, and adults have a common topic to discuss on Sunday afternoon and throughout the week. The name “D6” comes from the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch, a collection of books written by Moses. Deuteronomy chapter six begins…
These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
Moses is speaking to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land. These are critical instructions for God’s people. He wants everyone to know them—men, women, and children. God wants them to obey, and in order to obey, you must know the instructions. Discipleship is both learning and teaching. It’s more than a Bible study; it’s a way of life. What follows is arguably the most important passage in the Old Testament, the Jewish Bible. It is known as the Shema, which means “hear” or “listen.” It’s a Jewish prayer said in the morning and evening:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Throughout history, civilizations have worshipped multiple gods, also known as polytheism. Israel’s neighbors worshipped the sun god, the moon god, the god of fertility, and countless others. God wanted the Jews to know there is only one God, the LORD. He exists in three Person—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This reality called the Trinity can be confusing—one God in three Persons—but they are one, “echad” in the original Hebrew.”
The rest of the prayer—including a passage quoted by Jesus in Mark 12:28-30—says,
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Moses continues,
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Today if you go to Israel, you will see multiple expressions of these commands. Homes and even hotel rooms have small scrolls—called a mezuzah—in the doorframes with these instructions.
Some Jewish men wear scriptures in little leather boxes called phylacteries on their left arms close to their heart and on their heads, close to their minds.
The point is God’s commandments must never be forgotten. The faith is always one generation from extinction, and each parent and grandparent and great grandparent who follows God must pass along their faith, in word and deed, teaching and example. This is discipleship. Moses, who wrote these words in Deuteronomy, would transmit his faith and leadership to Joshua to passed it onto the elders to passed it to the prophets and so on.
The sages and rabbis of Israel had disciples they taught and mentored. One of the most famous, Hillel, was said to have had 70 disciples. Rabbi Yeshua HaNatzerim (Jesus of Nazareth) had twelve main disciples and many more who followed him to hear his teachings. He said,
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. (Luke 6:40)
Discipleship is the art of imitation. It often occurs within a biological family, but practically occurs when any person follows Jesus and helps others follow Jesus.
Discipleship is about following Jesus, but it’s also about helping others follow Jesus. My favorite discipleship verse is spoken by Paul to his protégé Timothy:
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2)
How many generations are in this verse? Four: Paul, Timothy, reliable people, others. Who disciples you? Who are you discipling?
I must confess I usually stop at verse two, but the next verse sounds a lot like Jesus.
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)
Join me in suffering? What kind of invitation is that? It’s the path of Jesus. That’s what it means to deny yourself, to pick up your cross, to be a disciple.
One of the core verses of the Christian & Missionary Alliance is another message from Jesus to his friends:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The word “witnesses” in Greek means martyr.
If you want to be a disciple, you must count the cost. Jesus doesn’t want fans. He’s not looking for likes. He’s seeking disciples who will call him LORD. Jesus said,
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
Jesus offers two challenges to disciples. First, they need to deny themselves, take up their cross, be willing to surrender everything, and follow Jesus. That’s a huge commitment. That’s discipline. That means Jesus is not just Savior but LORD. King. Master. He’s the boss! Second, this is something we must do daily. The original Greek word means…daily, a 24-hour period. Discipleship is not a Sunday thing but a way of life. Everyday discipleship. There’s no other kind.
Following Jesus for many is something they did years ago. Maybe they are disciples on Sunday mornings or whenever they feel like it. But that’s not discipleship. Disciples follow Jesus every day. They deny themselves and set aside their preferences and pleasures daily.
Die daily. That won’t sell many books or attract many crowds, but that’s what Jesus said. That’s what Jesus requires. That’s everyday discipleship.
I am not a perfect example, but I’m a living example. I have had several people in my life who have discipled me. They have mentored me. They have helped me know Jesus. It’s my desire to disciple others, training them and modeling for them what it means to imitate Jesus.
I’ve been very influenced by a book by Mike Breen called Building a Discipling Culture. It has helped me focus on the way of Jesus who chose his disciples, met with them as a group, prepared them for ministry, and then sent them out to do what he did.
So What?
Are you a disciple? Absolutely! We all imitate others, be it our parents, friends, celebrities,…or Jesus. The question is, whose disciple are you?
Are you a disciple-maker? Who is imitating you?
Paul said,
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
That’s discipleship.
Throughout this month, we’re going to talk about Links in the Chain, tools for discipleship. I want to equip you to equip others to become like Jesus. It doesn’t happen overnight. It literally takes a lifetime…one day at a time. Everyday discipleship. Not just Sunday. Not just an hour or two a week. Discipleship is following Jesus 24/7/365.
I want to conclude with two questions:
Who is discipling you? Who are you imitating? Perhaps it would be worth the risk to ask someone to be your mentor, to teach you, to disciple you.
Who are you discipling? If you’re new to the faith, it may seem premature to consider such a question, but each day that you follow Jesus is one day in which you are growing to love and serve him. Many Christians have kept their faith private rather than sharing it with others, investing in younger believers, inviting others into their life. Some of you have so much to offer, especially those of you who are empty-nesters. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul said, “Follow my example.” We don’t have to be perfect examples, but we can offer ourselves to the next generation as we follow the example of Jesus.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Luke 9:23
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Discipleship begins in the home…but doesn’t stay there.
Kingdom over everything.
Living in light of eternity.
What do you do every day?
Wake up.
Get dressed.
Eat.
Brush your teeth.
Floss?
Go online.
Breathe!
Pray?
Today we begin a new series, Links in the Chain. Our topic is discipleship. Discipleship is one of those words commonly found in the church, yet rarely used in our culture. What is discipleship? How do I become a disciple? How do I make disciples? We’re going to answer these and other questions throughout this series.
PRAY
As Jesus was preparing to ascend into heaven, he gathered his friends together and said,
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
This is one of the most famous passages in the entire Bible. It’s often called the Great Commission. Jesus gave marching orders to his followers, and they remain relevant and mandatory for us, too.
Make disciples. What’s a disciple? How do we make one?
A disciple is simply a student, a protégé. Jesus is saying become like him. A student often becomes like their teacher. That’s usually the goal.
We’ve come a long way since Jesus called the Twelve to follow him, and that’s not necessarily a good thing! The culture two thousand years ago in the Middle East was certainly different than it is today here in Toledo.
Discipleship was a common practice among the Jews. A young man would pursue a rabbi and essentially watch and follow their every move for several years, shadowing him in hopes of becoming like him. Listen to this description from John Daugherty:
In the days of Jesus, all young boys were taught the Torah and the Prophets beginning at age 5; meaning that at age 5, they began to memorize the Torah and the Prophets! Every day they would rehearse the Scriptures until it came to them by rote. At the age of 12, after 7 years of memorizing the Bible, boys were apprenticed to craftsmen. Some became carpenters, some stone masons and others farmers; but those that were exceptional in their studies of the Scripture were apprenticed to a Sage. His trade was to become a Rabbi. He would leave his home and move in with the Sage. He studied everything about him! Not just his thoughts on the Scripture, but He studied the Sage’s marriage, his business affairs, the way he judged certain cases—everything! It’s the belief of the Sage that the Torah affects every aspect of life, so the disciple is learning to imitate his Master’s disciplined life in order to mimic it in every regard! This is Biblical discipleship.
To a disciple, his Master is more than just a teacher. In fact, a disciple’s Master was regarded more highly than his own father. This is because an earthly father brought you into this world in which we live, but the Sage was able to usher you into the World-to-Come, or Paradise. The Sage became the new Father of the disciple, hence we find in the rabbinic writings references to the “House of Hillel”, or the “House of Shammai”. The Sage was seen as Father, and his a disciples were his well-trained sons. It’s not that the disciple’s family was abandoned, but his family loyalties took second place to his Master. This sentiment is echoed in the words of our Master, Jesus:
“If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yea even his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Lk. 14:26)
The language of “hate” employed in this verse is not hatred like we generally think of it. Jesus is using a Hebraic idiom that demonstrates comparative language. In other words, the love for the Master must be so great, that all familial love (usually our strongest love) must look like hatred in comparison. Each and every one of us is called to this radical practice of discipleship! We can’t be disciples of Jesus because our family has a strong Christian tradition. And we can’t be disciples of Jesus because of cultural pressures. We can only be a disciple of Jesus if we’re willing to abandon all other affections to second place, setting Jesus the Messiah squarely in the preeminent role of our lives!
Wow! Jesus’ Great Commission to go and make disciples is a far cry from what one person has called “The functional Great Commission”
“Go into all the world and make more worship attenders, baptizing them in the name of small groups and teaching them to volunteer a few hours a month.”
Doing church stuff is not the same as following Jesus. Yes, I’m thrilled you’re here on Sunday morning. Yes, small groups are a primary tool of discipleship and community, doing life together. Yes, we need volunteers to accomplish our mission of restoring God’s masterpieces.
But discipleship should never be relegated to a class or program. It’s not ultimately about acquiring information, but about experiencing transformation. Discipleship is becoming like Jesus, imitating Jesus…and helping others become like Jesus.
D6
Some of you know we have been using a curriculum for our student ministries and some of our small groups called D6. I have often used the scriptures in my sermons to synchronize the content across all ages so children, youth, and adults have a common topic to discuss on Sunday afternoon and throughout the week. The name “D6” comes from the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Pentateuch, a collection of books written by Moses. Deuteronomy chapter six begins…
These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
Moses is speaking to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land. These are critical instructions for God’s people. He wants everyone to know them—men, women, and children. God wants them to obey, and in order to obey, you must know the instructions. Discipleship is both learning and teaching. It’s more than a Bible study; it’s a way of life. What follows is arguably the most important passage in the Old Testament, the Jewish Bible. It is known as the Shema, which means “hear” or “listen.” It’s a Jewish prayer said in the morning and evening:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Throughout history, civilizations have worshipped multiple gods, also known as polytheism. Israel’s neighbors worshipped the sun god, the moon god, the god of fertility, and countless others. God wanted the Jews to know there is only one God, the LORD. He exists in three Person—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This reality called the Trinity can be confusing—one God in three Persons—but they are one, “echad” in the original Hebrew.”
The rest of the prayer—including a passage quoted by Jesus in Mark 12:28-30—says,
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Moses continues,
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
Today if you go to Israel, you will see multiple expressions of these commands. Homes and even hotel rooms have small scrolls—called a mezuzah—in the doorframes with these instructions.
Some Jewish men wear scriptures in little leather boxes called phylacteries on their left arms close to their heart and on their heads, close to their minds.
The point is God’s commandments must never be forgotten. The faith is always one generation from extinction, and each parent and grandparent and great grandparent who follows God must pass along their faith, in word and deed, teaching and example. This is discipleship. Moses, who wrote these words in Deuteronomy, would transmit his faith and leadership to Joshua to passed it onto the elders to passed it to the prophets and so on.
The sages and rabbis of Israel had disciples they taught and mentored. One of the most famous, Hillel, was said to have had 70 disciples. Rabbi Yeshua HaNatzerim (Jesus of Nazareth) had twelve main disciples and many more who followed him to hear his teachings. He said,
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. (Luke 6:40)
Discipleship is the art of imitation. It often occurs within a biological family, but practically occurs when any person follows Jesus and helps others follow Jesus.
Discipleship is about following Jesus, but it’s also about helping others follow Jesus. My favorite discipleship verse is spoken by Paul to his protégé Timothy:
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:2)
How many generations are in this verse? Four: Paul, Timothy, reliable people, others. Who disciples you? Who are you discipling?
I must confess I usually stop at verse two, but the next verse sounds a lot like Jesus.
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)
Join me in suffering? What kind of invitation is that? It’s the path of Jesus. That’s what it means to deny yourself, to pick up your cross, to be a disciple.
One of the core verses of the Christian & Missionary Alliance is another message from Jesus to his friends:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The word “witnesses” in Greek means martyr.
If you want to be a disciple, you must count the cost. Jesus doesn’t want fans. He’s not looking for likes. He’s seeking disciples who will call him LORD. Jesus said,
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)
Jesus offers two challenges to disciples. First, they need to deny themselves, take up their cross, be willing to surrender everything, and follow Jesus. That’s a huge commitment. That’s discipline. That means Jesus is not just Savior but LORD. King. Master. He’s the boss! Second, this is something we must do daily. The original Greek word means…daily, a 24-hour period. Discipleship is not a Sunday thing but a way of life. Everyday discipleship. There’s no other kind.
Following Jesus for many is something they did years ago. Maybe they are disciples on Sunday mornings or whenever they feel like it. But that’s not discipleship. Disciples follow Jesus every day. They deny themselves and set aside their preferences and pleasures daily.
Die daily. That won’t sell many books or attract many crowds, but that’s what Jesus said. That’s what Jesus requires. That’s everyday discipleship.
I am not a perfect example, but I’m a living example. I have had several people in my life who have discipled me. They have mentored me. They have helped me know Jesus. It’s my desire to disciple others, training them and modeling for them what it means to imitate Jesus.
I’ve been very influenced by a book by Mike Breen called Building a Discipling Culture. It has helped me focus on the way of Jesus who chose his disciples, met with them as a group, prepared them for ministry, and then sent them out to do what he did.
So What?
Are you a disciple? Absolutely! We all imitate others, be it our parents, friends, celebrities,…or Jesus. The question is, whose disciple are you?
Are you a disciple-maker? Who is imitating you?
Paul said,
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
That’s discipleship.
Throughout this month, we’re going to talk about Links in the Chain, tools for discipleship. I want to equip you to equip others to become like Jesus. It doesn’t happen overnight. It literally takes a lifetime…one day at a time. Everyday discipleship. Not just Sunday. Not just an hour or two a week. Discipleship is following Jesus 24/7/365.
I want to conclude with two questions:
Who is discipling you? Who are you imitating? Perhaps it would be worth the risk to ask someone to be your mentor, to teach you, to disciple you.
Who are you discipling? If you’re new to the faith, it may seem premature to consider such a question, but each day that you follow Jesus is one day in which you are growing to love and serve him. Many Christians have kept their faith private rather than sharing it with others, investing in younger believers, inviting others into their life. Some of you have so much to offer, especially those of you who are empty-nesters. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul said, “Follow my example.” We don’t have to be perfect examples, but we can offer ourselves to the next generation as we follow the example of Jesus.